It's quite a thrill to stare at a historic monument that's perched atop a mountain while relaxing on a sunbed on a warm sandy beach, with sand between your toes and the sun on your face.Yet the view from this resort's private beach is of the temple of Poseidon - the god of the sea in Greek mythology.
It's a view that has set the theme for Cape Sounio's ancient Greece styled architecture.
The stand-alone reception has impressive columns that frame an outdoor terrace where large bowls of flames light up the evening darkness. It's enough to make you want to reach for your chiton and himation (ancient Green attire) just to look the part.
Bungalows and villas sprawl over the mountainside with views over the pool, the lagoon and the sea. Many have their own swimming pools bringing the number of pools dotted around the resort to 60. This includes at least three that surround the spa and the gigantic main pool in front of the lobby.
This is a large resort and getting around, say to the spa, gym, the seven restaurants or the beach, means following floral paths lined by pine trees that sometimes undulate quite steeply. But it is very scenic.
At night they make for a lovely stroll especially as the sun sets over the Poseidon temple in the distance.
Food is eclectic. There is a fine à la carte restaurant on the roof terrace of the lobby and a buffet restaurant. The lounge bar is open all day where drinks and snacks are served whenever you want. It's lovely to sit there and enjoy sweeping views out to sea.The grill by the beach is a casual cafe while the a Yali restaurant that juts out onto the sea offers, perhaps aptly, fish and salads served to the sound of waves that lap the beach just steps away. The Chinese restaurant, So Oriental, is a little quirky as seats and tables are a series of elegant swing beds. It's funky stuff.
Accommodation, even the smallest bungalow, is contemporary, spacious and bright with large terraces. There's often fruit and drink left in the room.
It's worthwhile to walk to the Poseiden temple and bask in its templesque shadow and spot Lord Byron's signature (some call it graffiti) on one of the columns.
Though you can drive into town for a change of scene, it's unlikely you will want to.
